Lee breaks Korda and Henderson’s hearts

Coming down the stretch, it was a two-horse race. It was a straight battle between Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson as to who would take the second women’s major of the year. However, lady luck had different ideas and she was shining down on South Korea’s Mirim Lee.

The world number ninety-four had chipped in at the 16th to pull within one shot of leader Nelly Korda. However, when Lee gave the shot back at the 17th, it seemed like she was going to come up short. Two shots back playing the final hole she made use of a backstop created by the advertising hoardings behind the 18th green. Following a favourable drop, she proceeded to chip in for the second time in three holes to force her way into a play-off.
Brook Henderson also took advantage of the ridiculous decision by the organiser to erect the hoarding at the final island green hole thus preventing shots going long from finding the drink. Henderson could not match Lee but a good chip and putt for birdie booked her place in the shoot out against Korda and Lee.

Korda who looked set for a wire-to-wire victory had six birdies in her first fourteen holes but the scoring then dried up. Korda could only par the last four holes missing her putt on the last to win her first major title. Her day will come soon, surely!
Many of the top Koreans have stayed away due to fears over Coronavirus but Lee decided to take part.
“I spoke to my friends back at home before the play-off,” Lee said, through an interpreter. “And they told me just to go for it and come home soon.”

England’s Mel Reid had her best finish at the event, ending up in a tie for seventh on nine-under following a closing 71. Georgia Hall finished with a 73 for a one-under total and a share of thirty-seventh place.